ITINERARY

Arrival to Istanbul and take the connecting flight to Izmir. Dinner and overnight in Ephesus.

Day 3, November 4, Friday, Ephesus, Virgin Mary’s House

After breakfast visit the most complete magnificent ancient city ever excavated. Tour the antique city, Ephesus, with its theatre, library, Temple of Artemis, declared as one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. We will have a Mass at Virgin Mary’s House in Ephesus. Tradition tells us that the Apostle accompanied Mary to Ephesus. Dinner and overnight in Ephesus.

Day 4, November 5, Saturday, Ephesus, St. John, Miletus

After breakfast, we will have our second mass in Virgin Mary’s House in Ephesus. After mass drive to the Basilica of St. John and visit his tomb. After lunch we will continue to Miletus where St. Paul stopped on his Third Missionary Journey, assembled and addressed the elders of Ephesus, on his way back to Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight in Ephesus.

Day 5, November 6, Sunday, Izmir, Istanbul

After breakfast, transfer to Izmir airport for a flight to Istanbul. Join a city tour of magnificent Istanbul, the city that links two continents Asia and Europe to each other. Visit Hagia Sophia, the magnificent former Christian Basilica, Hippodrome and the Blue Mosque. You may join an optional cultural show in the evening. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

Day 6, November 7, Monday, Istanbul, Tel Aviv, Tiberias

After early breakfast, we will take a flight to Tel Aviv. After arrival we will drive to Tiberias for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, drive to Capernaum, the town of Jesus which is the center of his ministry where he performed many miracles. Visit the House of St. Peter and the ruins of the ancient Synagogue where Jesus preached. Stop at Tabgha, the Primacy of St. Peter and visit the Church of the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes, the site of the multiplication miracle. We will drive to the Mt. of Beatitudes to see a panoramic view of the Sea of Galilee. Continue to the Baptismal Site at the Jordan River to renew our baptismal vows. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.

Day 8, November 9, Wednesday, Nazareth, Cana, Mt. Tabor, Jerusalem

After breakfast, we will drive to Nazareth, visit the Basilica of the Annunciation and see the Blessed Cave where Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary. View Mary and Joseph’s House and carpentry shop where Jesus spent 30 years of his life. Visit Cana where Jesus performed his first miracle at the wedding where we invite couples to renew their wedding vows. Drive to Mount Tabor with a spectacular view of upper Galilee, where Jesus transfigured in the presence of Peter, James and John where the Church of Transfiguration stands. Continue to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.

Day 9, November 10, Thursday, Jerusalem

After breakfast, we will follow the Stations of the Cross along the Via Delarosa to the Holy Sepulcher and celebrate Mass here. In the afternoon we will drive to the Mt. of Olives, where we gain a panoramic view of the old City of Jerusalem. We visit Pater Noster (commemorating the “Our Father”), Dominus Flevit (where Jesus wept over Jerusalem), and the Church of All Nations in the Garden of Gethsemane. We will continue onto the Church of St. Peter in Gallicanctu (where Peter denied Christ), the House of Caiphas, the Church of the Dormition of Our Lady, and the Upper Room, commemorating the Last Supper. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem

Day 10, November 11, Friday, Jerusalem, Qumran, Dead Sea, Masada

After breakfast, depart Jerusalem and descend on the winding road through the Judean Desert to the Dead Sea. On the way we will stop and view the Mt. of Temptation and Jericho. The Dead Sea is located on the lowest spot on earth, 400 meters below sea level. Drive along the shores of the Dead Sea via Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, enjoy the experience of a “swim” in the Dead Sea. Continue to Masada. Here the Zealots withstood the Roman forces for 3 years, 70-73 AD. Ascend by cable car to the summit of this mountaintop fortress, and visit Herod’s Palaces, the baths, and synagogue. After descending by cable car, return to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight

Day 11, November 12, Saturday Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Ein Karem, Church of visitation

After breakfast, we will drive to Bethlehem, visiting first Shepherds’ Field, followed by the Church of the Nativity, where Jesuswas born. Celebrate mass here. In the afternoon we will visit Ein Karem to see the Church of St. John the Baptist and the Church of the Visitation. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 12, November 13, Sunday, Jerusalem, USA

After early breakfast, transfer to the airport to take a flight to home.